Survivor Love Letter is a movement for survivors of sexual assault and their allies to publicly celebrate their lives. It was started by filmmaker and activist, Tani Ikeda in 2012 on the anniversary of her rape where she penned a letter to her younger self that ended with the words:
“this is my survivor love letter.”
Since then, #SurvivorLoveLetter has rippled out and become a hashtag, a letter writing campaign, a national mural project, and a viral social movement. These letters have immersed thousands of survivors with the message that not only are they believed, not only are they supported, they are loved. This year, Survivor Love Letter is expanding into letter writing workshops, live performances and monumental augmented reality murals that celebrate some of the world’s most beloved sexual assault survivor leaders. #SurvivorLoveLetter was featured in: Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, Seventeen Magazine, Mic, UpWorthy, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Everyday Feminist, The Telegraph, Refinery 29 and more
Written by CCASA Survivor Task Force members
Dear Past Self,
It is your connection to the Divine that helped you survive this, your third eye’s sight has been awakened and moving forward you will never question your discernment again. You will share your story and it will help you heal. It’s ok to be closed off for a while, but open your heart to those that can hold you, they want to help, let them. What happened to you was a door into your full power, it was an awakening. You are likely still very angry, and that’s ok, however, do not torture yourself with it. What was done to you was unjust, how can you be a force against injustice now? Your voice might seem small, but one day, joined with others, it will be a mighty ROAR! Keep going, there are so many who will benefit from the hard work you are doing now, do it for them, do it for you.
Love,
Your Now Self, 8 years later
Dear Survivor,
I’m on the other side now, but I will never forget how hard it was to feel unworthy on a day dedicated to love. Please believe me when I tell you that you are worthy. You are enough. You are deserving of goodness and love (and boxes of chocolate too!) Today I light a candle in honor of our collective strength and forward movement.
I love you, even if I don’t know you, I love you #SurvivorLoveLetter
